POSSIBILITIES: Faulty spark plug - faulty ignition wire - distributor rotor needs replacing - distributor needs replacing.
The most common cause of multiple misfires on the B20 / P75 engine used in the 1999 CRV is valve recession. this is a well documented problem on these engines. Repair usually requires replacement of the head.
Your 1996 Pontiac Grand Prix will experience cylinder misfires when one or several of the spark plug wires are bad. A bad spark plug can also cause the problem.
Cross-threaded spark plug.
No, but bad spark plugs or plug wires sure can.
Several things can cause a Multiple Cylinder Misfire. First and most obvious are your spark plugs and wires. If they havent been changed within the last year that you can remember its time to change them. Faulty Crankshaft sensor would also cause this to happen but is unlikely.
Wiring and internal engine problems can cause misfires.
Wet/damp/faulty ignition wires, contaminated fuel (water), worn out spark plugs.
More than likely, you have a blown head gasket or a cracked cylinder head or cracked block if the oil and water are mixing together. The multiple misfires were probably being caused by the contamination.
The distributor cap of an ignition system is one possible cause of many for misfires. Other possible sources to investigate are the distributors cap and gears. The flow chart of diagnosing misfires also include the coil, capacitor (if applicable), ignition wires and the spark plugs.
Bad spark plug, bad spark plug wire
incorrect engine timing so that it misfires
You have bad spark plugs and or cap and rotor
Mechanical issue, ammunition issue.